By Dalton Balthaser

 

FOSTER – Three players shared medalist honors in the final Rhode Island Amateur Pre-Qualifier Wednesday at Foster Country Club (par 71, 6,093 yards).

 

Quinnatisset Country Club’s Dave Marshall, Potowomut Golf Club’s Jack McMullen and Rhode Island Country Club’s Matt Osman carded matching rounds of 74.

 

The 117th Rhode Island Amateur Championship will take place July 11-15 at Wanumetonomy Golf & Country Club.

 

A total of 22 players secured their spot at Wanumetonomy with the cut line falling at 79 (8 over).

 

Marshall has been a frequent competitor on the RIGA circuit, but he’s never made match play at the Rhode Island Amateur.

 

“I am a slow starter,” said Marshall. “It usually takes me a bit to get going when the season starts. I am a player who needs to practice a lot early in the season to feel comfortable with my game. I think I am starting to feel decent about my progression.”

 

Going out in the first group of the day, Marshall made the turn in 1 over. He played a steady back nine that included two bogeys and a birdie on No. 14 (par 5, 415 yards) after hitting the green in two with a 9-iron, he two-putted from 15 feet for an easy birdie.

 

Marshall didn’t see the course until today, but he didn’t let that stop him from qualifying.

 

“I played a lot more conservative,” said Marshall, 54, of Woodstock, Conn. “Keeping the ball in play is vital. I wanted to try and set myself up with a lot of pars.

 

“I’ve made the Championship Proper numerous times. But I have yet to make match play. If I keep myself in position and not put myself it tough spots, I will have a chance to make match play.”

 

McMullen was a four-sport athlete at East Greenwich High School and spent his last year post-graduation at Marianapolis Prep School in Connecticut playing basketball.

 

He took advantage of a practice round on Monday. He just wanted to get comfortable with his sightlines.

 

“I played Foster on Monday,” said McMullen, 19, of East Greenwich. “I learned that if you take your driver out here a lot, you can get into trouble quickly. I knew if I made pars, I would be fine.”

 

This is the first time McMullen will get a chance to compete for the Rhode Island Amateur. 

 

“I’ll be nervous when I get to Wanumetonomy, but I have a lot of experience competing,” said McMullen. “While I don’t have a lot of experience competing in golf, I’ll use my background in other sports to help me. I must trust my game and keep everything in front of me.”

 

Osman qualified for the #RIAmateur last year at Kirkbrae Country Club by way of the Crystal Lake Golf Club qualifier.

 

“I’ve been hitting it well so I thought it might be a good idea to get back into tournament golf again,” said Osman, 33, of Framingham, Mass. “I played decent, but this course will test you mentally.”

 

He said he learned a lot about what it takes last year at Kirkbrae. Osman is ready for the challenge that lies ahead.

 

“You have to put up a low number,” said Osman. “There are a lot of good players in the Rhode Island Amateur. I love match play. I feel like I can compete well in that format if I can get there.”